Varnish for painted stones… Which one should I use?

Types of varnish for acrylic paint

The million dollar question is… Now, what varnish should I use to protect the stones that I have painted?

Today we bring you this article to get you out of the typical doubts that so many people have asked us and that we also had to protect this type of crafts.

Therefore, We show you a series of tests and results that we have done to describe the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of each type of varnish. In this way you can decide more easily which varnish to use, depending on which one you like the most or the best for you. Let’s go there!

Acrylic spray varnish

This type of varnish is ideal for small stones with many details. We recommend it for those more delicate and complicated DIY to apply with a brush. Above all, it is ideal for paintings and crafts made with a marker. It takes between 15 and 20 minutes to dry.

Varnish for painted stones

Types

Gloss (image No. 0), Satin (image with +, – , = ) Matte (image No. 5)

Pros

Easy to find. Dries very fast. The finish is perfect and uniform.

Cons

Its cost is high because the spray is spent fast. It is toxic, NOT recommended for use with children. It is advisable to use a mask and apply it outdoors.

Acrylic common varnish (for Stone)

It is the most commonly used varnish for different types of tasks. With a thick texture, it takes about 2 hours for the 1st layer to dry and 12 hours for the 2nd layer.

Types

Gloss (in a can)

Acrylic varnish for painted stones PiedraCreativa

Pros

Easy to find at any DIY store, very economical. It is resistant to the outside.

Cons

It is toxic, NOT recommended for children. Cleaning with solvent.

Vitrifier Varnish

It is a varnish for almost all types of crafts, especially for Decoupage. Of thick texture and aqueous composition. Drying time 1 hour for the 1st layer and 2 hours for the 2nd.

Types

Gloss (image No. 8) and Satin (image No. 9)

Different varnishes for painted stonesTypes of varnishes for painted stones

Pros

Washable with water. Highly recommended for use with children. It is not toxic.

Cons

It is expensive, it is not recommended for outdoor. Not recommended with a marker, it is possible that it diffuses and spoils the craft.

Polyurethane varnish

This varnish has a thick texture with polyurethane composition and easy cleaning. Approximate drying time of 4 hours between each layer.

Types

Gloss (image No. 3)

Polyurethane Varnish. PiedraCreativa

Pros

It’s not toxic, it is very resistant, it is cheap and recommended for use with children.

Cons

It is not recommended to apply it on stones painted with markers, since it can blur the drawing.

High Gloss Varnish

This permanent varnish is used in fine arts and to protect surfaces. It has a liquid texture and a drying time of 3 hours.

Types

Gloss (image No. 6)

Pros

It is not toxic. For indoor and outdoor use. It’s resistant to wáter.

Cons

Too much liquid for stones and for use with children. Cleaning with solvent. It is expensive.

UV Varnish

Liquid varnish resistant to ultraviolet rays. Used for paintings with acrylic paints.

Types

Satin (image No. 7) and Matte (image No. 4)

Pros

Resistant to the passage of time.

Cons

It’s toxic. Not suitable for children. It is removed with solvents. It takes 24 hours to dry the 1st hand, and 48 hours the 2nd. It’s expensive.

Gum Varnish

It is used for wood as a primer, but it works very well on the stone. For indoor use. Create a layer that smoothes the Surface.

Types

Gloss (image No. 1)

What varnish to use for painted or decorated stones

Pros

Drying very fast, between 15 and 20 minutes to apply a 2nd coat. Its finish is uniform. It can also be used on markers.

Cons

Toxic. It is removed with alcohol. Not recommended for use with children. It’s expensive.

Dammar

It is a varnish that is used in fine arts to protect paintings in paintings. Made with resins. The finish is very bright and is very smooth. While it dries, it is sticky.

Types

High gloss (image No. 2)

Damar varnish in PiedraCreativa

Pros

Very good smooth finish. Resistant to the passage of time and weather conditions.

Cons

Very very toxic, NOT suitable for children. Beware of exposing outside the stones to children and animals, because, due to its toxicity, it is not recommended. It takes a long time to dry, between 24 hours to add 2nd layer and up to 3 days for a third. It is removed with solvent. It’s expensive.

Very important: Read the instructions before using this type of product. The use of varnish and paint can be harmful to your health and that of children if proper precautions and indications are not followed.

These are the varnishes that we have tried and our experience with them. There are a great many types and brands, so the characteristics can be different in each case. If you find one that you like more, for its finish, resistance, durability, etc. or have any suggestions, tell us. We will be happy to expand the knowledge and experience of all people who like this type of art.

EXTRA: Do you want to make a better decision about what varnish to use?

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With these tips, we want to help you choose the best type of varnish to make your creations even more spectacular.

Carolina

"I'm in love with this type of artistic creations. Will you join me?
Like me, you can also have your own web section. To achieve this, you only have to register and, for free, you can show your creations, your website and social networks, etc."

Hi Mon, some varnish are not food safe.
You can choose some type of varnish not toxic, but I advise you don’t use varnish for plates and other things to eat and drink to prevent problems. I hope my tips are usefull to you. Thanks for your comments.

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